June 29 Devotion - Talking with God

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

احمدوا الرب ادعوا باسمه. عرفوا بين الامم باعماله.

Psalm 105:1

If you are like me, you probably try to resolve problems on your own or discuss it with friends and/or relatives. Imagine calling a believer and instead of offering you empathy, sympathy and support he/she says, “I appreciate you calling me, and would love to help you, however, have you talked to God about it? Have you prayed?”

When we set our hearts toward the Lord, our faith is strengthened, and we develop the habit of talking to Him throughout the day. As soon as we encounter any kind of problem we immediately turn toward Him and ask, Abba Father, guide me in my thoughts actions and words.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. I call upon Your name. Teach me to always seek Your wisdom, guidance and support. Help me to always ask the Holy Spirit who dwells in me to take over. Create the opportunities for me to make Your deeds and blessings known among people. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

..Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets…. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

فكل ما تريدون ان يفعل الناس بكم افعلوا هكذا انتم ايضا بهم .لان هذا هو الناموس والانبياء

7 لا تضلوا.الله لا يشمخ عليه.فان الذي يزرعه الانسان اياه يحصد ايضا.

Matthew 7:12, Galatians 6:7

It is amazing sometimes to see how some people sow self indulgence, selfishness and hate and expect to be treated in a caring, serving and loving way.

If we sow love, mercy, prayer and blessings into the lives of others that is what we will reap in our own lives in return.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Help me Father to be aware of my thoughts and behaviour, and help me to treat others as I would want them to treat me and in a way that is pleasing to You according to Your commandments. Direct my thoughts and prayers today God so that I can be a blessing to others. Strengthen me to honour You in everything I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 27 Devotion-Why we should love God

We love Him because He first loved us.

نحن نحبه لانه هو احبنا اولا.

I John 4.19

 I believe that when God gives us a commandment, it is not a matter of control; every commandment is for our own good. Jesus gave us a commandment to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. So why should we love God? Maybe this is a useless question for some, but a central question for others.

Let us examine some of the things God did for us.

1)     While we were fallen into sin, He reconciled us unto Himself through Jesus Christ.

 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. لانه ان كنا ونحن اعداء قد صولحنا مع الله بموت ابنه فبالأولى كثيرا ونحن مصالحون نخلص بحياته.

Romans 5:10

 2)          He loved us so much, that He sent His Son to save us by dying in our place and give us everlasting life through our belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

لانه هكذا احب الله العالم حتى بذل ابنه الوحيد لكي لا يهلك كل من يؤمن به بل تكون له الحياة الابدية.

John 3:16

3)          Jesus described His love for us as follows:

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

ليس لاحد حب اعظم من هذا ان يضع احد نفسه لاجل احبائه .

John 15:13

4)          Because God is:

·        Our refuge. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; Deuteronomy 33:27

·     Our  strength God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

·     Compassionate

·     Merciful

·     Gracious

·        Will not turn His face from us if we turn unto Him for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him. 2 Chronicles 30:9

·     Faithful God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

·        Light God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

·        Love God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

There are many other verses in the Bible demonstrating who God is and why we should love Him.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, thank You for loving me; and for loving me first. Lord I want to love You back with an intense love. Lord if there is anything in my life that is keeping me from loving You and being totally committed to You Lord, then please reveal it and please give me the strength to let go of it. Lord, I want to my heart to be fervent toward You. Father, please pour Your love into my heart through The Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».

Jesus Loves you

In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 26 Devotion - I take refuge in You, LORD

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

اللهَ يَقُولُ: «لاَ أَتْرُكُكَ، وَلاَ أَتَخَلَّى عَنْكَ أَبَداً!» ويفرح جميع المتكلين عليك. الى الابد يهتفون وتظللهم. ويبتهج بك محبو اسمك.

                                                                     Hebrews 13:5

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

اللهَ يَقُولُ: «لاَ أَتْرُكُكَ، وَلاَ أَتَخَلَّى عَنْكَ أَبَداً!» ويفرح جميع المتكلين عليك. الى الابد يهتفون وتظللهم. ويبتهج بك محبو اسمك.

                                                   Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 5:11

  

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121   Abba Father, Let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11 Give ear to my words, O Lord, Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. Psalm 5:1-2  Those who know Your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. Psalm 16:1. I trust in Your promise God that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

يَأْتِي عَوْنِي مِنْ عِنْدِ الرَّبِّ، صَانِعِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ.

وَيَبْتَهِجُ جَمِيعُ الْمُتَّكِلِينَ عَلَيْكَ. إِلَى الأَبَدِ يَتَرَنَّمُونَ، لأَنَّكَ تُظَلِّلُهُمْ بِحِمَايَتِكَ، فَيَفْرَحُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ اسْمَكَ.

وَيَتَّكِلُ عَلَيْكَ الَّذِينَ يَعْرِفُونَ اسْمَكَ، لأَنَّكَ يَارَبُّ لَمْ تَخْذُلْ طَالِبِيكَ.  لكلماتي اصغ يا رب. تامل صراخي.

استمع لصوت دعائي يا ملكي والهي لاني اليك اصلّي.احْفَظْنِي يَااَللهُ ، فَإِنِّي مُتَوَكِّلٌ عَلَيْك                

Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 25 Devotion - I trust in my God, The Father and Saviour Jesus Christ

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
⁴ In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

في يوم خوفي انا عليك اتكل.

 الله أفتخر بكلامه على الله توكلت فلا اخاف. ماذا يصنعه بي البشر.

Psalm 56:3-4

Being originally from the Christian minority in Egypt, I know that the last election in Egypt is creating a lot of worries for the Christians of Egypt (the original descendants of the Pharos, who had adopted Christianity. Later Egypt was occupied by the Arabs and Christians are now a minority). To them and to all Christians who are or are in fear of persecution, let us put our trust in our God and remember that He is in control.

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

أليس عصفوران يباعان بفلسوواحد منهما لا يسقط على الارض بدون ابيكم

Matthew 10:29

Let us therefore remember:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
اردد هذا في قلبي. من اجل ذلك ارجو.
22 انه من احسانات الرب اننا لم نفن. لان مراحمه لا تزول.
32 هي جديدة في كل صباح. كثيرة امانتك.

. I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, great is thy faithfulness. God You care about Your children so much. If You care so much about the sparrows, how can I even think that you will not take care of Your people. Lord, I pray for all those who are in fear and worry, fill their hearts with trust in You and a deep knowledge that Your compassions fail not, and they are renewed every morning. Strengthen us all God that we may say: Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 22 Devotion - COMMITTED TO THE TASK

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

فَقَالَ لَهُ يَسُوعُ: «مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَضَعُ يَدَهُ عَلَى الْمِحْرَاثِ وَيَلْتَفِتُ إِلَى الْوَرَاءِ، يَصْلُحُ لِمَلَكُوتِ اللهِ».

Luke 9:62

Jesus told His disciples that anyone who puts his hands to the plow and then looks back at what their life might have been if they had not put their hands on the plow is not fit for the kingdom of God.

When we start our journey of faith by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we should never look back. When we are fully committed to Christ, we will be committed to His mission. Jesus was committed to the Father’s mission, even to the point of death on The Cross for the remission of our sins.

 

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord I praise You for Your work in my life. Jesus I know that You are committed to me Lord, and I know that You have a purpose and a wonderful plan in store for me. Help me to stay obedient and committed to You and Your calling for my life. Give me wisdom and insight into my personal mission that You have chosen for me, and the strength to bring it to fruition. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 20 Devotion - Discovering Your Life Message

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

                                                                I Corinthians 12:12-23

Sometimes we look at other believers and wish we had their spiritual gifts or their life message. God builds a life message in many different ways. Each one of us has a different message. Though you may gain many insightful lessons from those who are strong in their faith, your life is unique and special before God. He has a message for you that no one else can share.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord, give me a love for Your Word. Teach me to study Your Word and to keep it. You are my portion, O Lord; help me to develop spiritually. Guide me God in meditation and worship. Give me the discipline and determination to spend time alone with Jesus. Give me victory O’Lord over my thoughts and the enemy to my soul and keep me on course. I trust that soon You will clearly reveal Your message for my life in a very obvious way. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

لانه كما ان الجسد هو واحد وله اعضاء كثيرة وكل اعضاء الجسد الواحد اذا كانت كثيرة هي جسد واحد كذلك المسيح ايضا.

13 لاننا جميعنا بروح واحد ايضا اعتمدنا الى جسد واحد يهودا كنا ام يونانيين عبيدا ام احرارا وجميعنا سقينا روحا واحدا.

14 فان الجسد ايضا ليس عضوا واحدا بل اعضاء كثيرة.

15 ان قالت الرجل لاني لست يدا لست من الجسد.أفلم تكن لذلك‎من الجسد.

16 وان قالت الأذن لاني لست عينا لست من الجسد.أفلم تكن لذلك من الجسد.

17 لو كان كل الجسد عينا فاين السمع.لو كان الكل سمعا فاين الشم.

18 واما الآن فقد وضع الله الاعضاء كل واحد منها في الجسد كما اراد.

19 ولكن لو كان جميعها عضوا واحدا اين الجسد.

20 فالآن اعضاء كثيرة ولكن جسد واحد.

21 لا تقدر العين ان تقول لليد لا حاجة لي اليك.او الراس ايضا للرجلين لا حاجة لي اليكما.

22 بل بالأولى اعضاء الجسد التي تظهر اضعف هي ضرورية.

23 واعضاء الجسد التي نحسب انها بلا كرامة نعطيها كرامة افضل.والاعضاء القبيحة فينا لها جمال افضل.

June 19 Devotion - We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                               1 John 3:1, Romans 8:37-39

انظروا اية محبة اعطانا الآب حتى ندعى اولاد الله.من اجل هذا لا يعرفنا العالم لانه لا يعرفه. ولكننا في هذه جميعها يعظم انتصارنا بالذي احبنا                                                 

38 فاني متيقن انه لا موت ولا حياة ولا ملائكة ولا رؤساء ولا قوات ولا امور حاضرة ولا مستقبلة
39 ولا علو ولا عمق ولا خليقة اخرى تقدر ان تفصلنا عن محبة الله التي في المسيح يسوع ربنا

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank you for Your abundant blessings. God, what an honour and a privilege; that through the atoning death of Jesus Christ; I am now a child of God.

Thank You God that absolutely nothing shall be able to separate us from Your love God; which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank You God, that in all tribulations we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 16 Devotion - Hope and Wait

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

جيد ان ينتظر الانسان ويتوقع بسكوت خلاص الرب.

Lamentations 3:26 

I find myself resorting to fast prayers and expecting a fast ‘Yes’ response from God. I understand when God answers ‘No’. The third alternative answer from God could be ‘Wait’.

God’s answer ‘Wait’ is sometimes intentional because we are still not spiritually mature enough for a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer, and He wants to increase our spiritual maturity.

 Sometimes going through tribulation teaches us prayer and patience; patience can help us acquire experience which can lead to the increase of hope. Hope then increases our expectation, which in turn increases our confidence in the Lord.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Thank You  for Your wisdom because sometimes You make me wait. Thank You for always doing what is best for me. I understand that salvation cannot be hurried, and I ask You to always give me the patience and wisdom to persistently pray asking with abundant hope: “Your will be done”. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 15 Devotion - Crisis or Opportunity?

The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Habakkuk 3:19

الرب السيد قوّتي ويجعل قدميّ كالايائل ويمشيني على مرتفعاتي

When we encounter a crisis we may:

       i.          pretend it does not exist, or

      ii.          pretend to overcome it with our own self resolve, or

     iii.          bury it deep within us and put a lid on it, or

    iv.          go into depression, or

      v.          turn it over to Jesus Christ

 The ‘V’ answer turns a crisis into an opportunity, an opportunity to trust God so that we may see God at work in our problems. As God strengthens and equips us, we get a renewed hope in God’s active presence in our lives.

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Lord You are my strength, turn my feet into deer’s feet so that I may be swift to turn to You for help. Take me from the valley of despair to the top of my hills of victory. God fill my heart with faith in Your healing powers. Lord, uncover any crisis that I may have pushed deep into my subconscious and I have put a lid on it, and bring it to the surface and help me turn it over to You Jesus to deal with it. Turn all my challenges to an opportunity to feel Your active presence and support in my life. I love You Lord, and I know that as per Your Word all things will work together for my good. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jesus Loves you
In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 13 Devotion - God's thoughts toward us

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
         How great is the sum of them!
 ¹⁸ If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
         When I awake, I am still with You.
         

مَا أَثْمَنَ أَفْكَارَكَ يَااللهُ عِنْدِي! مَا أَعْظَمَ جُمْلَتَهَا!

 إِنْ أَحْصَيْتُهَا زَادَتْ عَلَى الرَّمْلِ عَدَداً. عِنْدَمَا أَسْتَيْقِظُ أَجِدُنِي مَازِلْتُ مَعَكَ.
                                                                    Psalm 139:17-18 

God cares about us and is constantly thinking of new ways to help us. Our security should lie in Him.

However if my sense of security lies in my reputation or in the things I have, my life will be in a constant state of threat and jeopardy that these possessions may be lost or stolen or devalued.  If I’m in the presence of someone of greater net worth or fame or status, I feel inferior. If I’m in the presence of someone of lesser net worth or fame or status, I feel superior.  My sense of self-worth constantly fluctuates. I don’t have any sense of constancy or anchorage or persistent selfhood.

My trust and self worth should come from Jesus. He has redeemed me and by Grace accepted to die for me, so that I may be forgiven. I only have to accept His gift and to know that my self worth is based on being a child of God. I am the son of the King of kings.  

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank you for Your abundant blessings. Thank You for thinking of me today and every day. Thank You for loving me and for doing and planning great things in my life. Help to connect with You Lord, to understand Your thoughts for my life and to receive Your love which drives out all fear. Make me new as I meditate on You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».

Psalm 16:2

Jesus Loves you

In Him,
Wagdi Henein

June 12 Devotion - Give all your worries to God

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

ملقين كل همكم عليه لانه هو يعتني بكم

1 Peter 5:7

Peter instructed us to cast the whole of our cares (allour anxieties, all our worries, all our concerns) on God, for He cares for us affectionately and watchfully.

Many believers know how to totally relax and depend on God to resolve their problems and never worry. I do not do that very well. I am improving, but have a long way to go. Even though I totally realize that it is best to depend on God, I cannot always let go and let God.  It seems that either I have a strong desire to solve problems on my own, have a lot of pride, or need to increase my faith, or all of the above.

Can you relate to that?

I invite you to repeat the following prayer for yourself:

Abba Father, thank You for Your abundant blessings. Help me Lord to be able to cast all my worries and cares upon You Lord. Strengthen my faith Lord, diminish my pride. God I know that Your solution for my life is what is best for me, help me to let go of the desire to resolve my own problems, and give me the wisdom to follow Your direction. Help me Father to not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to You. You are Holy, righteous, and infinite in wisdom. Thank You that Your mercies never cease. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
قُلْتُ لِلرَّبِّ: «أَنْتَ سَيِّدِي. خَيْرِي لاَ شَيْءَ غَيْرُكَ».
                                                                      Psalm 16:2

Jesus Loves you

In Him,
Wagdi Henein